Older Drivers

I'm nearing my 71st birthday and have received the annual medical form required for all Class 1 license holders over, I believe, age 65. I haven't driven for over a year and have no plans to go back to work even on a part time basis.

I am over 82 and have failed my first road test . However I hope with refresher lessons at driving school to do better next time.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my request for a positive topic to write about!

I heard from both a driving school instructor and a senior on this one, which is the idea that many older drivers take their driving responsibilities very seriously. So seriously in fact, that some choose to stop driving through their own choice rather than because they are forced to.

I've had a couple of regular correspondents ask me recently about night driving glasses. These glasses have yellow lenses and are supposed to cut glare and increase contrast allowing you to see better in the darkness. After a bit of research, it appears that using these glasses is not a good idea.

A dear senior friend who was called for a re-examination failed the consequent road test. Our friend has now been issued a learner's permit which requires accompaniment of a fully licensed driver. Question: what is the legal responsibility of said licensed driver?

A new poll by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) reveals that Canadians are only moderately concerned about elderly drivers as a safety issue. “We expected more Canadians to be concerned, particularly as the population of elderly drivers is growing and will double in the next 25 years,” says Ward Vanlaar, a research scientist for TIRF.